Dozens of sea turtles take a dip back into the wild

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) -- More than a dozen sea turtles have made their way back home this week. After months of rehabilitation, all the turtles at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital get to go home.

There were cheers and tears from the crowd of people and volunteers that gathered on the beach. Out of all the rescues, Hospital Director Jean Beasley said one turtle stuck out from the rest. That turtle's name was Big April.

" People walked by her, poked her, looked at her ... She was still alive, but nobody knew." Beasley said. After a day and half stuck in the sands of Wrightsville Beach, a jogger finally noticed Big April blink.

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital took her in and slowly brought her back to full health. Hundreds showed up to cheer Big April and eight other sea turtles on as they went back to the Atlantic. The hospital has rehabilitated 430 other turtles since they opened.

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